Fact Sheets

How common are congenital heart defects?

Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defects. Nearly one of every 100 babies is born with a CHD.

Each year approximately 40,000 babies are born in the United States with a congenital heart defect. (Source: CHPHC)

Approximately two to three million individuals are thought to be living in the United States with CHDs. Because there is no U.S. system to track CHDs beyond early childhood, more precise estimates are not available. (Source: CHPHC)

What is the health impact of congenital heart defects?

CHDs are the most common cause of infant death due to birth defects. (Source: CHPHC)

An approximate 100-200 deaths are due to unrecognized heart disease in newborns each year. These numbers exclude those dying before diagnosis. (Source: CHPHC)

Approximately 25% of children born with a CHD will need heart surgery or other interventions to survive. (Source: CHPHC)